17-19 June 2016
John West Féile na nGael is a Club festival for Hurling, Football, Camogie and Handball at Under 14 level, involving teams from across the Association. The John West Féile na nGael National tournaments will be held in Tipperary/Waterford on the weekend of 17th – 19th June 2016.
Féile provides an opportunity for:
• Under 14 players to participate in an annual Festival of Hurling/Camogie, Handball and Gaelic Football/Ladies Gaelic football
• Clubs to experience playing against teams from other Counties/Provinces
• Clubs to foster links with other Clubs in other Counties/Provinces
• Counties to celebrate Gaelic games by acting as hosts
A core aim of Féile tournaments is to promote a philosophy whereby every player has the opportunity to participate and play in their respective Féile tournament at a level commensurate to their age, skills and strengths.
(1) Participating Teams
John West Féile na nGael competitions are composed of host and visiting teams. Host teams are drawn from the host region (Counties). Visiting teams participating at the National Finals of Féile na nGael will be nominated by their County Bord na nÓg to represent their respective Counties. Both host clubs and visiting Counties are graded into their respective divisions. Normally the identity of the visiting teams is determined by the results of internal Féile na nGael competitions, however, due to the level of interest from host clubs, each visiting County is usually asked to nominate 2 – 3 representatives. All overseas units are also asked to nominate representatives to take part at Féile na nGael.
(2) Competition Format
Generally divisions are composed of 16 teams – 8 host clubs, and their 8 visiting teams. Depending on local requirements, deviation from the 16 team division is possible in co-operation with the national Féile committee.
Since 2014, Féile na nGael has introduced both Cup and Shield competitions in each Division. To facilitate this each division of 16 teams is divided into four groups (Groups A – D) of four teams (two host clubs and their visiting clubs). Each team plays each other team on a round robin basis. Upon completion of the three group games teams are ranked 1 – 4. Teams ranked 1st and 2nd proceed to the Cup quarter finals, while teams ranked 3rd and 4th proceed to the Shield quarter finals. Therefore, each participating team is guaranteed a minimum of four games – three group games, and either a Cup or Shield quarter final.
Thereafter, knockout quarter finals, semi-finals and finals take place in each of the Cup and Shield competitions.
(3) Playing Numbers
Participating teams shall be 15-a-side (unless Coiste Stiúrtha Náisiúnta Féile has decided that a certain Division may deviate from the 15 a-side rule), comprising of players who are over 11 and under 14 years of age on 1st January in the year of Féile. Panels in a 15-a-side division are limited to 24 players.
Depending on the requirements of the host region, certain division may be designated as 13 or 11a-side. Participation at 13 or 11-a-side is limited to those clubs that field at 13 or 11-a-side in their local Under 14 competitions. Where a division is designated as 13 or 11-a-side, the visiting Counties will also be asked to nominate a 13 or 11-a-side club. It is not possible for either host or visiting clubs to request to be designated as 13 or 11-a-side for the purposes of participation at Féile only. Where competitions are based on reduced team numbers e.g. 11 or 13 a side Coiste Stiúrtha Náisiúnta Féile will stipulate a reduced maximum panel size for all teams participating in that competition.
Similarly, amalgamated teams are permitted to participate in Féile na nGael, though again this is limited to those clubs that field as an amalgamated unit in their local Under 14 competitions in that year. It is not possible for either host or visiting clubs to request to amalgamate for the purposes of participation at Féile only.
Each team shall be accompanied by a maximum of 4 team mentors.
This great festival of youth and hurling originated in County Tipperary, following the initiative of Séamus Ó Riain, Tomás Ó Baróid and Éamon de Stafort in 1971. It was held in the summer of that year and proved very successful. There was one winner from Tipperary that year, Portroe won the Division 4 competition. It was hosted again by Tipperary in 1990/’91.
Best of luck to this year’s Féile na nGael from Lár na Páirce.
